Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the cheaper of the two at $399 versus $1,100, a difference of about $701. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 11 stands out for hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure, while Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm is praised for built-in speaker, microphone, and led flashlight. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- →Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- →Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- →24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm if…
- →Built-in speaker, microphone, and LED flashlight
- →Leak-proof buttons enable diving to 40m depth
- →Multi-band GNSS with full topographic maps
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 11
Pros
- Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- 24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
- 5G connectivity on cellular models
- 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Cons
- Same S10 chip as Series 10
- Starting price increased to $399
- Still limited to one-day battery life
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm
Pros
- Built-in speaker, microphone, and LED flashlight
- Leak-proof buttons enable diving to 40m depth
- Multi-band GNSS with full topographic maps
- Massive 16-day battery life in smartwatch mode
- Comprehensive sport profiles including new dive features
Cons
- Extremely expensive at over $1000
- Heavy and large for smaller wrists
- No cellular connectivity
- Steep learning curve for new Garmin users
- Limited third-party app support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 26 | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 34.6 g (42mm) / 43.1 g (46mm) | 73 g |
| Case material | Aluminum or Titanium (Grade 5) | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal rear |
| Water resistance | IP6X, 50m WR | 10 ATM, dive-rated to 40m |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hours | Up to 16 days smartwatch mode, 42 hours GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm / 46mm | 1.3 inch |
| Type | Retina LTPO3 OLED | AMOLED touchscreen |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 496 x 416 (46mm) | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S10 | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm.